Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act

Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) program funds are used to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement officers and their families through the implementation of peer support, training, family resources, suicide prevention, and other promising practices for wellness programs. Good mental and psychological health is just as essential as good physical health for law enforcement officers to be effective in keeping our communities safe from crime and violence. The Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Program supports efforts to protect the mental health and well-being of law enforcement officers and deputies. Unfortunately, the stress of officers’ work and the stigma often associated with seeking assistance for emotional and mental health issues have led to negative consequences such as divorce, alcoholism, injury, and even an increase in suicides for officers across the country. The LEMHWA Implementation program aims to support state, local, tribal, or territorial law enforcement agencies seeking to implement new or enhance existing programs that offer training and services on officer emotional and mental health, peer mentoring, suicide prevention, stress reduction, and support services for officers and their families. The COPS Office encourages small, rural, tribal, and regional coalitions of agencies to apply for LEMHWA funding to improve their wellness efforts—for example, initiatives such as establishing a joint or regional Peer Support program or conducting regional training. Proposed projects may serve one agency, a consortium of agencies, or personnel from agencies located within a county or state.